Transcription Budgets Simplified

The traditional model for transcription pricing has been a goods-based PAYG - or pay for what you use - system of charging per audio minute, the rate determined by the level of accuracy required, complexity of the audio and turnaround. This model has always been difficult for both researchers and awarders of grants due to the unpredictability of participant uptake and duration of interviews. Human transcription delivers greater benefits but at face value is significantly more expensive than an AI solution. The hidden cost of AI is the transference of work from transcriber to editor as staff have an increased proofing workload. However, one advantage of subscribing to an AI solution is that suddenly the budget seems more predictable, as payments are regular and even - a known quantity.

What if budgeting for human transcription could be this easy? What if you could simplify the expense of a human transcription service into one known monthly fee across the duration of your project?

In addition to our established PAYG system, we are now offering Transcription As A Service (TAAS) whereby for an agreed, fixed, monthly service fee, we will transcribe all or as many as you wish of the interviews you conduct within the period. Our fee is calculated on understanding the proposed scale, duration and complexity of your qualitative research project.

Better quality transcripts; simplified budgeting. Contact us to see how TAAS could work for you.

Transcription "Products"

Short Letter Transcription

PAYG

Letter typing, either from dictation or editing of your AI-generated output, is charged at the usual hourly rate for secretarial, PA or administrative work.

TAAS

Alternatively, this can be charged at a fixed monthly fee, based on understanding the quantity and complexity of the service required and potentially “bundled” into a wider secretarial/PA fixed fee package.



Report Transcription from Dictation (e.g. Building Survey Reports)

PAYG

Longer reports from clear recorded dictation are charged at a flat rate of £1.50 per audio minute (PAM).

TAAS

Alternatively, these can be charged at a fixed monthly fee, potentially “bundled” into a wider administrative fixed fee package OR as a fixed fee per report.

Interview or Focus Group Transcription

Most of our interview and focus group transcription is for academic research, however market research, human resources or journalistic interviews and focus groups can also be accommodated.

Transcription turnaround and cost is dependent on factors such as the quality of the audio, number of speakers, accents and the level of accuracy required. Where the nature of the content is challenging, this will also incur an additional fee.

The minimum level of accuracy we will transcribe to is verbatim, which is every word stated, excluding umms and ahhs. Customers may also opt for strict verbatim, which is every word stated, including the umms and ahhs.

Ciara Ferrier Ltd reserves the right to use associate typists to fulfil orders in the event of illness, accident or emergency.

PAYG

Our PAYG interview and focus group transcription rates, tiered into a Gold, Silver and Bronze service, are competitive within the industry. 

Gold = 24-hour turnaround

Silver = 3 working days

Bronze = flexible transcription around existing commitments.

*The Gold, Silver and Bronze services apply to individual recordings. Where customers do not upload recordings as they go along but submit all recordings at the end of the project, the applicable fee will be Bronze with an agreed deadline for the return of all transcripts.

Remove the worry of tracking every second of recorded audio.

Simplify the expense of a human transcription service into one known monthly fee across the duration of your project. Our quote will be provided based on understanding the proposed scale, duration and complexity of your qualitative research project.

As with any service, transcription comes with terms and conditions. However, as part of our commitment to keeping business simple, we endeavour to keep our Ts & Cs simple too.

• Fixed service fees are calculated from understanding the volume, frequency and complexity of the work required.

• Fixed fee accounts will be provided with timesheets, however these serve as a guide to ensure each party is satisfied with the value provided by the service level. For PAYG accounts, the timesheet details the "goods' to be paid for.

• Our anticipated turnaround for transcription of short letters or reports is within 24 hours. We reserve the right to request additional processing time at periods of high demand or emergency such as illness.

• Interview or Focus Group Transcription – turnaround for PAYG accounts is as per our Gold, Silver and Bronze service levels. Turnaround for TAAS accounts will be as per our Bronze service level.

• We reserve the right to use associate typists to fulfil orders in the event of illness, accident or emergency.